The Gombe State Government has declared a cholera outbreak in Todi Ward, Billiri Local Government Area, after reports of cases in Kedo village, where two people reportedly died on October 4.
The government has activated emergency response measures, including deploying a Rapid Response Team and establishing an Incident Management System, to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Adamu Danladi Bojude, disclosed the development in a press statement on Wednesday, assuring residents that suspected cholera cases would receive free treatment at designated health facilities.
Bojude said 74 people who presented symptoms of the disease had been treated and discharged at the Primary Health Care facility in Sheila, adding that no patient was currently admitted.
He said the state government introduced the State Annual Cholera Prevention Plan in 2023 in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency and other partners to reduce the spread of the disease.
According to him, the initiative targeted more than 150 identified cholera hotspots across the state’s 11 local government areas.
The commissioner said the programme had largely reduced cholera outbreaks across the state, although cases could still occur in communities not classified as hotspots.
The latest outbreak followed reports of diarrhoea and vomiting in Kedo village, prompting the government to deploy a Rapid Response Team to support the local government health team in investigating the situation and providing treatment to affected residents.
Bojude said the government had also activated an Incident Management System at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to strengthen surveillance and coordinate the emergency response.
He explained that the system would coordinate surveillance, case management and other response activities aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further infections.
The commissioner said Gombe had recorded seven consecutive days without a reported case as of October 21.
He added that if no new case was reported by October 24, the outbreak could be declared over after 10 days without a fresh case.
Bojude said the decision to inform the public was consistent with global best practices and the public health emergency management approach of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
He urged residents to cooperate with health authorities and maintain proper personal, food and environmental hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
The commissioner advised anyone who developed symptoms suggestive of cholera, including diarrhoea and vomiting, to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility rather than delay treatment.
He assured residents that treatment for suspected cases would be provided free of charge at designated health facilities and urged communities to promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can spread through contaminated water and food. Without prompt treatment, severe cases can cause dangerous dehydration and become life-threatening.
West Trybe reports that the Gombe outbreak highlights the importance of early detection, access to safe water, proper sanitation and prompt medical care in preventing further infections, particularly in communities where cases may emerge outside identified disease hotspots.
